2/10 Terrible
Calvin, Lake City
May 4, 2025
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disappointed, Disrespected, and Questioning My Treatment
I genuinely wish this review could be more positive, but my experience at the Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace left me deeply disappointed and questioning whether I was truly welcome as a Black guest.
After working an overnight shift with no sleep, I arrived in Chicago early and hoped to check in or at least rest in the lobby. I politely asked the front desk staff if there were any rooms available. She checked the system and said no — that my room wouldn't be ready until around 2pm. Fair enough. I asked if I could stay in the lobby to wait, and she said sure.
But here's where it gets hard to ignore how different my treatment felt. About 30 minutes later, I witnessed another guest — a white man — walk up and ask if he could check in early. Without hesitation, she said yes and began checking him in. No mention of fees, no attitude, no resistance.
I was confused but gave her the benefit of the doubt. I approached her again, asked the same question, and was denied — again. Later, I made a friendly gesture by asking for brochures to lighten the mood, and then she suddenly brought up the option to upgrade my “queen room” for $85 — plus $40 for early check-in. I was stunned.
First, none of this was mentioned to the guest she helped before me. Second, I had already paid nearly $40 more than the average price for this "cheap" room through a third-party site. When I pointed this out, she dismissively told me she couldn’t.
Calvin
Stayed 1 night in May 2025